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Interviewing 101 Brought to you by the MHS PTSA January 30, 2017
Interviewing 101
Brought to you by the MHS PTSA January 30, 2017
Click to play video
Source: Essaytigers.com
Interview Stress is Common– Over 90% of People Experience it!
Many Fears can be overcome
with interview preparation!
Tonight’s Agenda
▪ “Interviewing 101” Interactive Lecture
▪ Panel Discussion – What are interviewers looking for?
▪ Small group activities
▪ Wrap-up
Coming Attractions: Monday, 2/6: Mock Interviews
Interviewing 101
Rule #1: First and Last Impressions Matter!
▪ How to nail the first impression– be SPECIAL*:
– S: Shake Hands (firm, appropriate grip)
– P: Posture (stand up straight, convey confidence)
– E: Eye Contact (look other person in the eye whole time)
– C: Charm (win them over with warm smile, raised eyebrow, head nod, or laugh)
– I: Introduce yourself (“Hi, I’m _____”) gets the ball rolling
– A: Ask a question (“How are you today?” or “Don’t you hate this snow?” begins a conversation & shows interest)
– L: Lean in and Listen (while respecting personal space, getting a bit closer shows you’re engaged in the conversation.)
*Adam Dovico, Wake Forest University. Kappanmagazine.org. Nov, 2016. Practice!
The Office Manager! They are often asked to provide feedback on you. Make it count!
Who is the first person you will make an impression upon in an interview?
Pop Quiz!
Rule #2: Take Advantage of the Icebreaker Question
▪ Prepare for the “Tell me About Yourself” Question with a 1 minute pitch
– Provide a brief overview of some personal details
– Emphasize your most relevant skills that match the position
– Show enthusiasm for the position you are interviewing for
Instead of…
Uhh…. What do you want to
know?
Try… I’ve lived in Montgomery for 17 years with my parents & brother. I love school and am a hard worker. I’m heavily involved in Model UN and
the Varsity Softball team. I really enjoy working with others, and have had the opportunity to lead a few fundraisers at our school. I really
look forward to learning more about your (college, scholarship, job opening).
When asked, “Tell me a bit about yourself”
Rule #3: Know your Audience (Do your Research!)
▪ It is CRITICAL to thoroughly research the (college, scholarship, company) before your interview – Demonstrates initiative
– Will help you answer question, “Why do you want to work here?”
▪ Where possible, show linkages with your experience and the organization’s programs / values
“I write a column for the local newspaper, and would be excited to join the staff of the Daily Gazette at your
college!”
Pause for Questions & Panel Discussion
Rule #1- First & Last Impressions Matter!
Rule #2- Take advantage of the Icebreaker Question
Rule #3- Know Your Audience (Do your Research!)
Rule #4: Prepare for Commonly Asked Questions
Click to play video
Rule #4: Prepare for Commonly Asked Questions
Why do you want this (job, scholarship,
college)?
• Explain specifically what you like about the organization (Mission? Culture? Approach?)
• Show how your skills are a strong match
What’s your greatest strength?
• Do research on the organization to determine what they value
• Explain what your greatest strength is (ideally, aligned with their values!)
• Provide a specific example of when you exhibited this strength
• Key: Show self awareness & that you’re working on it • Avoid clichés: “I work too hard” “I’m a perfectionist” • Avoid stating a skill that is critical to the position! • Frame as, “I’d like to improve ______. Here’s how I’m
working on it….”
What’s your greatest weakness?
Rule #4: Prepare for Commonly Asked Questions
Tell me about a conflict you faced and how you dealt with it?
• Show that you are fair & level-headed • In your example, show how you used rational
judgement
Tell me about a time where you
demonstrated leadership?
• It’s ok if you are not a club officer or haven’t supervised anyone at work, etc.
• Speak about a time when you were in charge of something (group project? Tutoring someone?)
• Explain how you handled the situation
• Choose a mistake that’s not too big and did not affect an outcome too dramatically!
• Explain how you realized the mistake, and what steps you have taken so that it won’t happen again
Tell me about a mistake you’ve made?
Rule #4: Prepare for Commonly Asked Questions
What are you passionate about?
• Opportunity to say what’s important to you! • Let your enthusiasm shine through • Doesn’t need to be work or school related (fine to say
a hobby, family, friendships, etc.)
What questions do you have for me?
• Opportunity to showcase what you’ve learned about the organization in your research
• Opportunity to clarify any key questions you have
Interviewers often have a rubric to rate your interviews; they are looking for behavior-based examples you provide.
Make it easy for them by structuring your answers in the STAR format
SITUATION TASK
ACTION RESULT
• Provide context & background • “Customers of the ice cream
shop where I work complained that we were out of their favorite flavors.”
• State benefits, savings, improvements
• “Customer satisfaction and positive reviews increased 20%.”
• Describe the problem & challenges • “This turned into a bigger issue--a
few customers posted negative online reviews, which hurt sales. ”
• Explain WHAT you did and HOW • “I developed a new ‘flavor of the
week’ program where we featured that flavor. I advertised the program on FB, and we offered a 10% discount to customers who mentioned seeing it there.”
www.rightattitudes.com
Panel Interviews – No need to panic!
▪ You may be questioned by several interviewers at once
– Be sure to shake hands and introduce yourself to each interviewer
– When answering, focus your attention on who asked the question, BUT be sure to periodically make eye contact with the other interviewers
• There may be one person interviewing several candidates at once
– Stick to your plan!
– Find the right balance - get YOUR points across, but don’t be a conversation hog!
Rule #5: Interview Yourself
Click to play video
Rule #5: Interview Yourself
▪ Walk in with 3-5 key things you want them to know about you. If they don’t ask specifically about these, find a way to work them in! – Work well in teams
– Leadership
– Work ethic, etc.
What’s in It for THEM:
- Your creativity - Your work ethic
What’s in It for YOU:
- Experience - Foot in the door
▪ Show what’s in it for THEM by accepting you; NOT what’s in it for YOU
Rule #6: Don’t Sweat the Oddball Question
Click to play video
Rule #6: Don’t Sweat the Oddball Question
▪ There is no right answer– they want to see your thought process! – Can approach it logically (or) think big picture!
How many tennis balls would it take to fill a mini van?
How much would you pay to have all the windows in Seattle washed?
Logical Estimation
$0.00 It rains everyday
in Seattle!
Pause for Questions & Panel Discussion
Rule #4- Prepare for Commonly Asked Questions
Rule #5- Interview Yourself
Rule #6- Don’t Sweat the Oddball Question
Rule #7- Say What you Mean to Say
www.onlineuniversities.com Infographic
Non-Verbal Cues Leave the Biggest Impression – Learn to Master Them!
Sources of the Messages we Send in an Interview:
Rule #8: Have a Strong Closing Argument
▪ When wrapping up, you may be asked “Do you have anything else to add?” – Take advantage of this opportunity to sell yourself one last time!
– Tell them why you want the (job, scholarship, college)
– Reiterate your qualifications and enthusiasm for the position
– They want to pick people who want to be there– make it easy for them to pick YOU!
Instead of…
Nope!
Try…
“I’d just like to reiterate how excited I am about potentially attending your college! The
program is an exact match for my interests, and I believe my courses, and extracurricular, work, and volunteer activities have prepared
me well to succeed there and contribute to campus life. I’d really love to be a Wildcat!”
When asked, “Do you have anything else to add?”
Rule #9: Seal the Deal with a Thank You
▪ Always, always, always send a follow-up thank you note! – Handwritten is best, but email is fine, too
– Thank them for their time, and re-emphasize your enthusiasm for the position
You may think, “That’s weird.
NOBODY does that!”
Isn’t That the Point?
Rule #10: Remember the Do’s and Don’ts
Arrive early- If you can’t be on time, be early! Attire- neat, appropriate, socks matter! Voice- volume, expressiveness Listen attentively- answer what’s asked Eye contact- maintain eye contact 2/3 of time;
focus on triangle region of their eyes/nose Shake off mistakes- keep on going! Last impression- thank you, handshake
Cross arms- appears negative & defensive
Touch hair/face – looks insecure Verbal distractions- “um, like,
ya know…” Bad mouth- anyone, ever!
Do’s: Don’ts:
Pause for Questions & Panel Discussion
Rule #7- Be Aware of your Non-Verbal Cues
Rule #8- Have a Strong Closing Argument
Rule #9- Seal the Deal with a Thank You
Rule #10- Remember the Do’s & Don’ts
Additional Resources…
Looking for a way to calm your nerves before your interview?
Strike a power pose for 2 minutes! • Check out this highly informative Ted Talk by
Harvard Business School Professor, Amy Cuddy! • It shows proven methods to reduce your stress and
nerves before an interview, speech, etc.
Click to play video
